Steen c. 1823

This woodblock print was made by Katsushika Hokusai, the celebrated Japanese artist, though the date of its creation is unknown. Here we see an image of a woman, possibly a courtesan, using sand to create an image of Mount Fuji. The image is both a creative work, and perhaps also a devotional act. Hokusai worked during the Edo period, when the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan. This was a time of relative peace and economic growth, but also of strict social hierarchy. Woodblock prints like these gained popularity amongst the merchant classes, who weren’t allowed to display wealth openly. Notice the image of a man and a dog that is pictured on the screen behind her. What might this image, placed within an image, be alluding to? Understanding this piece fully requires a detailed knowledge of the complex social and institutional histories of Japan.